Ridgecrest planning commission approves 42-unit assisted living conditional use permit at 900 Heritage Drive

The Ridgecrest Planning Commission on Sept. 23 approved a conditional use permit for a proposed 42-unit assisted living facility at 900 Heritage Drive, a five-building commercial site currently occupied by medical and other tenants.

City planning staff recommended approval, citing the site's commercial zoning, general plan goals that encourage senior housing near services and a CEQA exemption for the modest alterations proposed. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the permit with the conditions listed in the resolution attached to the staff report.

The project applicant, Mandy Freeland, and Ray Zelli, asset manager for the property, described plans to convert the existing buildings to assisted living use with internal courtyards, an atrium and about 40–50 units overall. Zelli said the design intentionally limits the facility’s size. "It's limited to only about 40 for the larger, this entire facility with 5 buildings," he said, adding the intent is to provide social opportunities and an interior atrium that is protected from desert winds.

Planning staff told the commission that standards for setbacks and parking would be met given the site's current commercial zoning and that a CEQA review supports a categorical exemption because the work is limited…